The ATP has announced today that after Rafael Nadal’s loss this morning in Shanghai, Novak Djokovic has secured the 2011 year-end No. 1 ranking.

The 24-year-old Serb becomes the 16th different player to finish a season No. 1 since the start of the rankings in 1973.

It’s also the eighth consecutive year that a European finishes on top of the ATP standings, following in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

American Andy Roddick (2003) is the last non-European No. 1.

Djokovic will be officially crowned year-end No. 1 during a special ceremony at the Barclays World Tour Finals in London which run November 20-27.

Following his recovery from a back ailment, Djokovic is scheduled to return to the tennis courts at Basel on October 31. This season Djokovic, who ascended to No. 1 on July 4, has 10 titles including three Grand Slams.

It’s amazing that it took so long for him to wrap up the year-end #1, especially considering that in previous years Roger and Rafa have gotten the year-end #1 much earlier. I guess that this is a testament to how well Rafa has done as the #2 player to still have had an outside shot at #1 (even though he kept losing all those finals to Novak).

just to highlight what everyone else has already said really,well done to nole the best player this year,and maybe after this year rafa will try to curtail the shedule a bit who knows,i hope rafa,roger,jmdp and muzza can all raise there game next year,nole needs some decent competition i feel.

Congratulations to Nole and all his steadfast, long-suffering fans, jane, Duro, stu, Nina et al. What a blooming astonishing year :)
Wog boy: you must have one of THE best jobs. When I read what you do, I thought of the American film “Sideways.” :) Hope I’ve remembered that one right, about 2 blokes touring the Californian vine yards. A hoot! BTW is your nom de plume ironic?
Come on Andy, 1000 lovely points waiting for you. Nishikori won’t be easy. I agree with comments about him here, he is a lovely, fluid player and gr8 to watch. So focus Andy!

@Margot: ” is your nom de plum ironic.” Sorry I did’t get it, it could be my english ,can you please remind me which post you are talking about. I wish I can answer the question.
Two blokes you are talking about, are they British, if so I have seen it and I liked it.
I like my job:-)
Ferrer is fired up. Andy , remember AO and you will beat him.

@Margot: it is offensive here to call somebody “wog” . It is aimed at people of medterranian origin, Italians, Greeks , former Yugoslavs. It is not so bad these days, and when I go to pub with my mates, we cal each other names, wog , pom( english people) , convicts( aussies) etc. You don’t do that to somebody you dont know couse you will end up bashed. Couple of years ago film “Wog boy” about Greek boy growing up in Melbourne came out and it was hit, then “Wog boy2″ came out. It is nice film thah can cheer you up. Not an Oscar winning film. So yes, you can call me Wog boy ( not boy anymore) and I will not be offended……but do not touch Novak, please. He is best thing that happened to Serbian people since Nikola Tesla and we are ready to share him with rest of the world. :-)
I fell asleep after two games, but yes go Andy for third one.

Novak is the best thing that happened to a country? Surely that does not reflect well on a country?

Does djokovic even have the trust of his peers? I am sure Roger and Rafa will beat him hands down in such a poll. As a tennis fan, I just hope novak doesn’t end up damaging the reputation of the sport. Already, he has orchestrated 3 minor fiascos – [tipsarevic+gun, EGG, and retiring in a must-win davis cup match]. I am totally glad this guy is NOT from my country.

I would say Ivanovic represents serbia in much better light than djokovic. Most countries wouldn’t care a hoot, if Djokovic was not shared. UK, US, australia, germany, czech, swiss, spain and sweden have GS and tennis titles by the bucket that none are salivating for djokovic. [maybe UK, but they keep craving for champs in every sport, so that doesn't count] maybe some asian/african/ nation would love to have novak djokovic. maybe the empire penguins in antarctica are as ignorant of tennis as these djokovic fans and will adopt him as an antarctican. you could also check with polar bears in siberia. LOL!

RZ and Kimberly : I think it must be either Roger in 04/06 or Rafa in 10. 2003 was the last time the no.1 went down to the wire – till the WTF (or whatever it was called then)

@swiss maestro:
The best answer is no answer.
To be able to do that, I have to know how to hate and I don’t. But you do , for whatever reason. There is no cure for that. I beleive it is hell to live like that. Feel sorry for you.

Swiss Maestro: in fact I believe the LTA did try and entice Novak away from Serbia at some point lol Mind you, they embraced Rudedski…say no more…
Brando: past champions are always sticking their oars in, aren’t they? Personally, am waiting for Roger and Rafa to be sanctified at any moment. Next article “Andy Murray should smile more often” I expect. Pah!
Thought Emerson’s other article on players being too reliant on coaches was interesting, going with a nice pic of Andy ;)
Don’t suppose Rog does care about being 3 or 4 but Ferrer is very close behind him and being 5 would have huge implications for draws.

@Brando:
It is ok, thanks for Roy Emerson’s article. I never heard him saying that for Hewitt , his C’MON and other antics, running in with other payers on tour, namely Spanish and Argentinians. Does it mean it is OK if it is an Aussie but not the others? Does that look like a double standard?
There is also a big cloud above his 12 GS , most of them are won against amateurs. If Rod Laver and the others were allowed to play do you reckon he would have more than few? Nobody knows.
Getting ready for Andy-Ferrer, if Andy stays cool he is winning regardless of Ferrer being fired up, but I wish it was Nadal.
Thanks and Cheers.

Except for rabid and blind novak fans, everyone will notice Fedal as champions are in a league of their own.

Margot: I am sorry, but the british disgrace themselves too often in such matters. LOL! I am quite positive Murray will put an end to LTA making a fool of themselves. 2012 – murray is bringing home a slam for sure. maybe more than 1. remember, when it rains, it pours. :)

Michael : for the sake of the sport, let us pray novak doesn’t do that. tennis will become a joke if novak goes ahead and retires in some GS final.

Wog boy :

hatred? really? Is novak beyond criticism? did the Pope declare so? I am not a blind novak worshipper to not see such obvious mistakes. Denial is not a river in Egypt.

Veka :

You make wog boy look like einstein with your embarrassing IQ level. Djokovic will always be below Roger in tennis history. You can bet your house and the whole of serbia on that!

I like it how some stupid Djokovic fans think that rafa/fed fans are “jealous” or “sour” about novak’s fans. What next novatards? that US/russia/china are insecure about serbia becoming a super power? fcuk! i cant imagine if you guys are just being funny or you are actually that stupid!